- Four people have died and another person has been taken to hospital following a severe house fire in Bootle, Merseyside.
- Emergency services were called to the semi-detached property in Stone Square at approximately 3.45am on Tuesday.
- Chief fire officer Nick Searle confirmed the fatalities, describing an intense blaze that spread very rapidly.
- Six fire engines attended the scene at the height of the incident, with eight firefighters entering the property to search for occupants and tackle the fire.
- Police cordoned off the street while fire crews remained at the scene to engage with neighbouring residents.
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